Looking out for our furry friends at Christmas is top of mind for a Gimli resident who organized her annual Pets Need Christmas Too food drive for the Gimli Humane Society.
Karen Bittner’s popular fundraiser benefits the no-kill shelter each year as it tries to find homes for cats and dogs in its care.
Gimli residents once again opened their hearts and their pantries this year, supplying a trailer-load worth of dry and canned dog and cat food, treats and kitty litter.
Bittner thanked residents for their “extraordinary thoughtfulness” to provide shelter animals with much-needed support.
“The Pets Need Christmas Too fundraiser has yielded outstanding results,” said Bittner on Dec. 27 when the supplies were collected and taken to the humane society. “Today, [animal control officers] Cindy [Salamandyk] and Brian [Derby] from the Gimli Humane Society retrieved the impressive array of donations at Robin’s Donuts.”
Bittner organizes the fundraiser each year in honour of her late mother’s philanthropy.
“I am profoundly grateful that my late mother’s philanthropic efforts continue to benefit pets in need, a testament to her enduring legacy,” said Bittner. “The Pets Need Christmas Too fundraiser enables me to honour her memory while advocating for the welfare of pets, who undoubtedly deserve a loving home.”
Bittner thanked Lakshay Gulati, who owns the Gimli Robin’s Donuts, for donating collection space. He set up a large Christmas tree in the coffee shop where residents could drop in and drop off pet food donations.
He offered “remarkable cooperation and eagerness” to support the charitable cause and is looking forward to supporting the fundraiser in 2026, said Bittner.
